Springboard Adventures for Tyranny of Dragons Storyline

What adventure books are on your bookshelf?

Do not let them collect dust.

Consider using them again!

Greetings, from a frugal-minded .

Thay in the Fray ...... 10 Table of Contents Frostkimmr’s New Crew ...... 10 What’s a Springboard Adventure...... 4 Adventure Outlines Delegation to Scornubel ...... 11 The Inventory Track Down Swinders ...... 11 Chart ...... 6 Lumber in Short Supply ...... 11 Map Survey ...... 7 Luskan or Bust...... 12 Monsters and NPCs ...... 8 A Tear in the Seam ...... 12 Departure points Ogre Foothold...... 12 Rebuilding Greenest ...... 9 Beast Lords of the High Forest ...... 12 Scattered to the Four Winds ...... 9 Stargazers of Castle Naerytar ...... 12 The Road North ...... 9 Discord in Silverymoon ...... 13 SampleGreypeak Wardens...... 10 Axe to Grind ...... file 13 Troubleshooters ...... 10 Lady Silverhand’s Light Touch ...... 13 A Mintarn Odyssey ...... 10 Going Gothic ...... 13

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PLAYING DUNGEONS AND Dragons requires a considerable expense. Setting aside the costs for the core rule bo.oks, a Dungeon Master who ran Tyranny of Dragons from its two adventure P books had to dig deep Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat are both 96- page hardcover adventure books. Each retailed at $29.95 in the United States.

Months of Fun

Now, I’m not saying the expense wasn’t worth it. My group got months and months of play out of each, going from Greenest to the Well of Dragons. It was great fun. We shared a lot of laughs and were thrilled by our characters’ heroic deeds. A frugal Dungeon Master always But you know what? You can still squeeze looks for the best value in spell some more value out of the books. That’s right. bcomponents ... and game books. Before you put that $59.90 worth of tomes on your shelf to collect dust, consider utilizing them for Springboard Adventures. In the case of The Rise of Tiamat, for instance, now that Tiamat has either triumphed or failed, What’s a Springboard the DM provides the next chapter: What’s next? While that is one kind of Springboard Adventure? Adventure, it’s not really the focus of this product. A Springboard Adventure takes a theme, an To fully utilize the wealth of playable material unexplored aspect or even a reskinning of some in these two books, most of what we’re going to portion of an already published adventure, and explore as Springboard Adventure opportunities as the name implies, build additional adventures involve encounters for a new group of characters. from it. Maybe they start out at first level, perhaps a few Usually it’s thought of as a continuation of levels higher. That’s up to you. The thing is, to the storyline. Most published adventures usually make good use of these books again, the conclude with a few paragraphs making characters should be in the power range the suggestions on how the storyline can continue. books were written for in the first place.

Check it out For an example of a sequel-styled Springboard Adventure, check out DM’s Kit: Calimport and the Cult of Samplethe Dragon, that will soon be released on the DM’s Guild . It’s an adventurefile for 16th level player characters who’ve just finished The Rise of Tiamat adventure. Look for it during Spring 2016.

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Benefits to the “Novice” Dungeon Master

Some Dungeon Masters are more comfortable running out of a published adventure than creating one from scratch. I certainly fall into that category. Or perhaps you started Tyranny of Dragons as a novice Dungeon Master, and the first place you turned was to a published adventure. As Fifth Edition was a new set of rules, that’s natural. Congratulations for taking that step. Being a Dungeon Master is a rewarding part of play. By using Tyranny as a Springboard, a “novice” DM (though anyone who has run Wait for your chance to Tyranny can no longer rightly be called a true reintroduce the next adventure. “novice”) need not feel like they have to start p fresh. The books provide support material — a The time has to be right. lot of it, in fact. Don’t know how to create a random encounter chart? That’s OK. Use the one on Page conclusion of Rise into the adventure we will 7 of Hoard and expand on it. Never made a magic devise. item before? Take the Wand of Winter on Page 94 It’s probably a good thing to let a little time and tweak it. There are relevant suggestions in pass. Players will need time to digest the the Dungeon Master’s Guide on how to do those consequences of the campaign. They may even things. have an appetite for a different sort of adventure. Let the adventure books serve as guides on Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all. how to construct Springboard Adventures of Make good use of the time in the interim to your own. It’s a good way to grow your skills and survey the two books, find the bits you want to confidence. use. Be as thorough as you can. And after the players at your table have gone off to fight space battles, explore the A Time to Heal, A Time to Plan or dodge a certain vengeful vampire lord, then they might be longing to revisit the Sword Coast Everything has its season, so says the poet. and confront its many dragon-allied nemeses. And that’s just as true regarding a roleplaying Then is a good time to unveil this sequel or campaign as it is other things in life. There’s spinoff to the original Tyranny of Dragons. They really no need to Springboard straight from the will even thank you for anticipating their desire.

A tradition of replay The approach I’m exploring in this product, re-using a published adventure, is far from new. A whole generation of Dungeon Masters once took adventures such as , Keep on the Borderlands, The Isle of Dread and Castle Amber and mined their contents again and again Samplefor new play opportunities. And those modules were no larger than 32 pages. file But their approach, making the most of those modules’ component parts and using them to launch new adventures, remains tried and true.

Page 5 Springboard Adventures for Tyranny of Dragons Storyline The Inventory

THE FIRST OBLIGATION IS to review the Springboard. Use the chart on this page adventures for unused material. to list anything and everything that Perhaps it was one of the side quests didn’t get used the first time. from “On the Road” in Episode 4 of It’s not that all we will be doing is Hoard or perhaps a whole chapter, such stringing together a kitbash of unused as “Mission to Thay” in Episode 8 of Rise. things to make an adventure. Some of It could also be NPCs, monsters or magic the things on your list may still go items that you didn’t encounter or use. unused. That’s up to you. It is a good T Perhaps it was a random chart that idea to know the elements your players didn’t seem to fit. Only you, as a DM, can haven’t seen. answer that question. (It’s also a good idea to make a list of Basically, anything that your group your players’ favorite things, and use skipped over is fair game for the them again.) Unused adventure elements

From Hoard Page From Rise Page

Sample file

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For maps, count among your resources those The Maps maps printed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. The next thing to get a handle on is the Specifically, I am going to call out the unkeyed number and kind of maps at your disposal. For settlement map on Page 115 and the maps in convenience, I’ve made a list of them. While Appendix C starting on Page 310. Don’t hesitate looking at that, I made a notation on each one’s to consider their future use. possible re-use.

Map Survey for Hoard Page Possible new use

The Sword Coast 4 Lots of blank spaces to place own base town, encounter areas

Greenest 10 Can serve as a generic town or as a rebuilt Greenest. lots of unmarked buildings to key as you would wish

Raider camp 16 Any valley or hollowed out settlement.

Dragon Hatchery 23 Basic cavernous retreat re-keyed

Carnath Roadhouse 41 Can stand for any roadhouse along the Trade Way

Castle Naerytar, ground level 51 Fortress and surrounding swamp

Castle Naerytar, Level 2 55 Can serve as 2nd floor or as an underground dungeon map

Castle Naerytar, Level 3 58 Can serve as 3rd floor, as as a dungeon map

Castle Naerytar, Dungeon 60 cavern complex; clearings near a lake/glade

Hunting Lodge, ground floor 66 any sort of border fortress, remote school

Hunting Lodge, upper floor 70 same

Parnast 73 Hamlet map

Skyreach Castle 76 Another sky city or possibly a mountaintop fortress.

Map Survey for Rise Page Possible new use

Arauthator’s Iceberg 31 Any dungeon, any dragon or monster’s lair

Tome of Diderius 40 Dungeon or mining complex

Neronvain’s Stronghold 51 Any cavern or dragon lair

Xonthal’s Tower 65 Traditional maze, tower with floors, small underground dungeon

Well of Dragons 80 Mountain city

SampleTiamat’s Temple 84 Small island file

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Monsters and NPCs CR 5 I’ve provided a list by challenge rating of Captain Othelstan, human warrior, p. 89 H monsters and unique NPCs with stat blocks that Talis the White, half- spellcaster, p. 93 H appear in the appendix section of both books. Unique NPCs are always good to re-use. Just CR 6 scratch off the name and assign a new one — Rath Modar, human spellcaster, p. 92 H and p. 91 R instant, brand-new character! CR 7 Monsters Rezmir, half-black dragon, p 93 H CR9 CR: 1/2 Blagothkus, cloud giant, p. 89 H Ambush Drake, p. 88 H Neronvain, elf warrior, p. 91 R

CR 1 CR 11 Dragonclaw, p 89 H, p. 89 R Naergoth Bladelord, undead, p. 91 R Ice Toad, p. 90 R Severin, human spellcaster, p. 92 R

CR 2 CR 30 Guard Drake, p. 91 H, p. 90 R Tiamat, dragon fiend, p. 92 Dragonwing, p. 90 R

CR 5 Dragonfang, p. 89 R Other Encounter Charts

Hoard and Rise have a fair share of CR 7 randomized charts. Having a list is good for easy Dragonsoul, p. 89 R reference. It doesn’t preclude you from making your own or on expanding on these.

NPCs Hoard CR 1 Episode 1 Encounters, p. 7 Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome, p. 91 H Episode 3 Encounters, p. 21 Hiring Out, p 31 CR 2 Trade Way Events, p. 34 Frulam Mondath, human spellcaster, p. 90 H Encounters North of Waterdeep, p. 40 Mere of Dead Men Encounters, p. 44 CR 3 Dralmorrer Borngray, high elf spellcaster, p 90 H Rise Pharblex Spattergood, bullywug, p. 91 H Sea of Moving Ice Encounters, p. 26 Ice Caves Encounters, p. 30 CR 4 Serpent Hills Encounters, p. 39 Azbara Jos,. human spellcaster, p. 88 H First Attack Cult Forces, p. 55 Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, half-dragon warrior, p. 91 Second Attack Cult Forces, p. 55 SampleH Third Attack Cult Forces, p. 56 file

Page 8 Springboard Adventures for Tyranny of Dragons Storyline Departure points

THERE ARE PLACES IN THE adventure narrative that serve as good spots the DM can use to start their Springboard Adventure. This is especially true in Hoard for low-level T parties. Consider these departure points as places to begin new adventures.

Rebuilding Greenest The attack on Greenest was devastating. The town’s mill, temple to Chauntea, and even portions of the keep will need to be repaired, if When you review the contents of not reconstructed. Many dwellings, stores and an adventure module, you will workshops were also probably destroyed. discover many places where you can Moreover, the town was robbed of what few riches it possessed. Even if a portion of the treasure branch off from the main narrative. was recovered from the cult, it is insufficient wfor the task of rebuilding. It is the PC’s new mission to help, with the underbelly of these urban areas, cultists are town serving as the party’s base. trying to form new cult cells. This will be a “frontier-style” adventure arc. As time passes, the cult will replentish its In the vast grasslands of the Western Heartlands, resources and its members will grow in power. Greenest is fairly isolated. Even before the Cult of the Dragon began attacking settlements, the lands between the sparsely populated villages The Road North was filled with dangerous adversaries. There are many locations and opportunities on the long road from Baldur’s Gate to Neverwinter to branch off and seek adventure. Scattered to the Four Winds In many instances, the PCs will aid rural The Cult of the Dragon is on the run, most of local folk beset by marauders, bandits and its forces defeated at the Well of Dragons. Even reavers. But goblins and that come down so, the sort of folk who might join the cult out of from the high places might also assail travelers fear, intimidation or a desire to inflict dominance and villages. over others are still out there. Carnath Roadhouse provides a solid location In this campaign, the PCs embark on a quest that can serve as a base of operations for the to track down the remnants of the cult. Some PCs. Instead of being a den for cultists, it can be cultists will try to blend in among the common a waystation from which deputized marshals can Samplefolk in the surrounding country. patrol the trade route and set filethings right in an Others, though, will have to be pursued to otherwise lawless environment. the major cities of the Sword Coast. In the

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Greypeak Wardens After bringing order to Parnast, the PCs can reclaim the Hunting Lodge and from there act as one of the few agents of law and order in the Greypeak Mountains. The challenges of defending Parnast can certainly be daunting. The Greypeaks are home to stone giants, worg packs and dragons. The latter might be a reason former cultists might try to regain their footing here. The area is isolated, and cultists might not believe there are adventurers in the region capable or inclined to try and stop them. Waterdeep Troubleshooters DA long journey or an ocean Harper leaders Leosin Erlanthar or Remallia voyage are great departure points. Haventree have need of adventurers who can form a team of agents available to be dispatched at a moment’s notice. Thay in the Fray Based in cosmopolitan Waterdeep, these “firefighting” teams are dispatched to strongholds The presence of so many Thayan Red and cities vital to the Lord’s Alliance and work Wizards within the Cult of the Dragon is most through means subtle and straightforward to troubling to the new Open Lord, Laeral resolve the latest political crisis. Silverhand. Likewise, Ontharr Frume and the Order of Even while maintaining an uneasy alliance might assemble a similiar unit. with Thay, Waterdeep’s leadership is vigiliant However, in the latter case, the team would be against infiltration of their society by the eastern dispatched when it is certain that a ’s agents. Assembling a team of magic solution is needed. users and adventurers with other skills, Silverhand would direct them to investigate reports of Thayan intrusion, all the while A Mintarn Odyssey entreating with their emissaries and using the same team to shore up those relations. The PCs are veterans of the battle at the Well of the Dragon who only wish to return home. Perhaps they were attached to a group of Frostskimmr’s New Crew Mintarn mercenaries that have their base back in Neverwinter. Perhaps they were infantry in Frostskimmr’s captain, Lerustah Half-face, support of Purple Dragon Knights based in thinks there are riches to be had by voyaging up Cormyr. Perhaps they are Thayan allies, facing the Shaengarne River into the Maer Dualdon. even a longer voyage. There is trade to be made in the Ten Towns Thus, they begin the long trek. Shall they go region of . by sea or land? But are the gods against them? But he needs a sturdy crew that’s not afraid What forces are being employed to delay and to leave the ship and go exploring overland. torment these soldiers? Most certainly, they will It’s an opportunity for cultist bounty hunters have adventures along the way. The journey to visit Bryn Shander and the other remote home is never so simple. locations in the north. Even in the far north, cultists who fled the Well of Dragons are plotting Sampletheir next move. file

Page 10 Springboard Adventures for Tyranny of Dragons Storyline Adventure outlines

EACH Springboard Adventure offering to help rebuild. But they demanded is presented in the form of payment up front. Now they’ve run off with our adventure outline. Each money! Despite being angry with the townsfolk adventure includes a short for being dupes, the governor also thinks such description, a list of resources scoundrels should be severely punished.The PCs from Hoard or Rise that could be are dispatched to track down flim-flam artists, applied to it. Lastly, there are who were on the road south, according to suggestions of other elements, reports. The PCs will track them to a bandit E such as monsters or treasure encampment. that can be used to enhance Locale(s): Greenest and surrounding your adventures. wilderness, raider encampment (map HotDQ, p. 16) Adversaries: Bandits and thugs, former cultists; Grasslands monsters (DMG, p. 303). Delegation to Scornubel Story goal: Recover the money, or at least a portion of it; apprehend the guilty to face justice Greenest leader Governor Tarbaw Nighthill in Greenest; make sure Greenest establishes a sends a delegation of leading citizens, including reputation for prosecuting those who would the chief priest of the temple of Chauntea (who commit fraud. repeatedly counsels that “no deal is better than a Rewards: Gratitude of governor and bad deal”) and the player characters, to negotiate townsfolk; an offer to join goodly factions, such loans and other financial assistance from as the Harpers or the the Order of the Gauntlet. Scornubel’s merchant princes so that Greenest can rebuild. Locale(s): Scornubel, wilderness between the City of and Greenest. Lumber in Short Supply Adversaries: Grasslands monsters (DMG, p. The governor makes a direct appeal to Elturel 303), such as cockatrice, giant goat, hobgoblins, for permission to obtain lumber from The Wood and gnolls; nobles and bandit captains (as of Sharp Teeth so residents might rebuild the merchant princes), thugs (merchant muscle), and town, including a palisade to discourage attacks. spies (Zhentarim agents). Locale(s): Greenest, road to Elturel, The Story goal: Navigate waters of financial Wood of Sharp Teeth. sharks, avoid bad deals that require Zhentarim Adversaries: Forest monsters (DMG, p. 302), entanglements, obligations or indebtedness on such as kobolds, tribal warriors, giant wolf the part of Greenest. spider, panther, black bear, and hobgoblins. Rewards: Investment from reputable Story goal: “Reconstruct” Greenest, placing persons; shore up reputation of town and its new buildings on the Greenest map (HotDQ, p. citizens. 10) or keying existing ones using the Settlement charts (DMG p. 112). Rewards: As defenders, the townfolk insist Track down Swindlers on building a lodge for the players characters in an unclaimed area of town. Penniless townsfolk come to the governor Samplewith grim news. Burly workers came to Greenest file

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Adversaries: oni chieftain, half-ogres, ogres, Luskan or Bust allied and orog bandits. Remallia Haventree, heir to the Ulbrinter Story goal: Eradicate the ogre stronghold so shipping operation, hires adventurers to protect that merchant trains between Waterdeep and their ships from pirates and seagoing monsters Neverwinter can take the High Road unmolested. in the northern waters off Luskan. Rewards: Gain recognition from the Order of Locale(s): Seacoast between Waterdeep and the Gauntlet, Zhentarim merchants or Luskan, ghost town of Port Llast, including the Neverwinter’s authorities. islands of Ruathym and Aurilssbarg. Adversaries: Pirates and pirate ships; merfolk, giant octopus,ghost, sahuagin priestess, Beast Lords of the High Forest sea hag, killer whale, dragon turtle and dragons. Pixie emissary to The Emerald Enclave Story goal: Make Ulbrinter shipping an requests assistance, saying a growing tribe unappealing target and dismantle at least one lycanthropes and other beasts roam unchecked Luskan controlled pirate enterprise. in the High Forest because there are so few Rewards: Pirate booty, support from rangers in the aftermath of the assault on the Waterdeep merchants and lawful seagoers; Well of Dragons. recover Horn of Valhalla. Locale(s): High Forest, village of Nesme. Adversaries: Lycanthropes, , manticore, and allied warbands of bugbears and A Tear in the Seam gnolls. Neverwinter lord protector, Dagult Story goal: Force the lycanthropes to Neverember, asks the PCs to investigate a disband, put down the menace posed by gnoll possible “tear” in the seam over the former and bugbear allies. spellplague chasm in the city’s southeast quarter Rewards: Restore balance to the forest, earn following sightings of aberrant monsters in those the gratitude of the Emerald Enclave and of neighborhoods. Delaan Winterhound. Locale(s): Neverwinter; intact dungeon deep down beneath the seam (DMG, p. 312). Adversaries: Aberrations and undead, Stargazers of Castle Naerytar including chull, grell, banshee, hook horror, The recently liberated Castle Naerytar has intellect devourer, nothic and mind flayer. been reclaimed by the Academy of Stargazers. Story goal: Clear out the dungeon beneath The stargazers have learned how to use the the seam, prevent aberrations from terrorizing portal beneath the castle as a teleporter, using it this quarter of the city. to dispatch “firefighting” teams to locations Rewards: Gratitude of Lord Nevember, across the Sword Coast to do acts of good. emnity of the Abolethic Sovereignty for destroying Locale(s): Castle Naerytar (HotDQ, pg. 51, its new “staging area.” Recover artifact valued by 55, 60), sites across the Sword Coast Dwarves. Adversaries: Thayan mages and their undead minions; chromatic dragons that hold sway over remote areas. Ogre Foothold Story goal: Accept orders from the An ogre tribe under the direction of a oni Stargazers and perform trouble-shooting chieftain has gained a foothold and is missions across the Sword Coast, disrupting the threatening villages and merchant trains along influence of Thayan Red Wizards and their the High Road, requiring a response from a team minions. based at the Carnath Roadhouse. Rewards: Acquire and keep safe the Locale(s): Carnath Roadhouse (HotDQ, p. legendary magic items the Thayans desire. 41); for lair re-key the Dragon Hatchery map Sample(HotDQ, p. 23). file

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Discord in Silverymoon During a period of uncertainty and unrest accompanying the of the Dragon Queen, a dissident group of bards are working to discredit and undermine Silverymoon’s rulers, such as Taern “Thunderspells” Hornblade. Locale(s): Silverymoon; nearby walled town of Washedberm (DMG, p. 114). Adversaries: A secret society of bards, Undead horrors, a druids and rangers and a few wizards who are dissatisfied with Silverymoon’s rulers. Because great way to close out the list of they operate in secret, they live openly in the Springboard Adventures. nearby town. z Story goal: Root out the troublemakers, many of whom are well-respected members of the Adversaries: Cultists, dragonclaws, Washedberm community. Disrupt their master dragonfangs, dragonwings and dragonsoul plot to overthrow Silverymoon’s rulers. minions of an undead cult leader (use Naegoth Rewards: Gratitude of Silverymoon’s elite Bladelord stats, TRoT, p. 90) and a dracolich or and any of the surviving Seven Sisters. great dragon. Story goal: Stop the cult’s underhanded strike on the Field of Triumph. The cult intends Axe to Grind to disrupt a sporting event and cause the death of bystanders. Adventurers out of Ten Towns and other Reward: Thanks of the city and the personal places are searching for legendary dwarven gratitude of the Lords of Waterdeep, including weapon, an axe linked to Mithral Hall’s founding. Lady Silverhand. Brawnanvil can’t bear the thought of this artifact ending up as some adventurer’s prize, but in the aftermath of the attack on the Well of Dragons, he hasn’t the men to spare on a . Going Gothic Locale(s): Mithral Hall; old dwarf dungeon Sandesyl the vampire queen and Cult of the hold that was recently re-opened (DMG, p. 113). Dragon ally has reestablished herself in a Adversaries: Underdark creatures (DMG, p. mountaintop fortress in a remote and isolated 305), including , drow elite warriors, driders, section of the Greypeak mountains. drow mages. Locale(s): mountaintop fortress and nearby Story goal: Explore the dungeon, return village (maps of Parnast and Skyreach Castle, with the legendary magical axe. HotDQ, ppg. 73, 76). Rewards: Loot from explorations, magic Adversaries: All the traditional vampire lord weapon. tropes, villagers who live in fear, a surrounding wilderness filled with werewolves and other creatures of the night, interloping troop of the Lady Silverhand’s Light Touch traveling folk, a mad scientist conducting experiments in a forlorn castle, and of course, Intelligence reports indicate a cell dedicated the machinations of a vampire queen who is very to the Cult of the Dragon is meeting in an secure in her power base, a castle. underground location somewhere in the Dock Story goal: Stop the vampire from re- Ward. The City Watch has been dispatched, but establishing the Cult of the Dragon along its they haven’t turned up anything. traditional lines. Locale(s): Waterdeep, a cult safehouse (TRoT, Rewards: The ancient treasure horde of the Tomb of Diderius map, p. 40), and Waterdeep’s vampire in a dungeon deep beneath the Hunting SampleField of Triumph. file Lodge.

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dm’S KIT Springboard Adventures for the Tyranny of Dragons Storyline

A frugal Dungeon Master is here to help you get more out of the adventure books, Hoard of the Dragon Queen and The Rise of Tiamat, even after you’ve played through them once. Both booksSample are packed with resources that can be used again in whole new adventures.file This guide provides ideas for making Springboard Adventures, how to make a inventory of a published adventures resources, lists of Departure Points for a new set of adventurers and a baker’s dozen worth of outlines for new adventures within the Tyranny of Dragons storyline. Page 14